In 2007, statistics from a Stanford University, Harris Poll and reported on youths addicted to video games. The poll showed 8.5% of youths (between the ages of 8 – 18) in the US could be classified as video game addicts. While another 23% of youths would say that they are addicted to video games. What does this mean for you or your son, daughter, or partner? Though there is no “diagnosis” of having an addiction to videogames, this is a list of common gaming warning signs:
For your student:
- Most of their “free time”, non-school hours are spent on the computer or playing video games.
- Fatigue; tendency to fall asleep in school.
- Not keeping up with homework assignments/not turning in homework on time.
- Worsening grades.
- Lying about computer or video game use so computer or video game privileges aren’t taken away.
- Choosing the computer or playing video games rather than spending time with friends or family.
- Dropping out of activities such as social groups, clubs or sports.
- Irritable, cranky or agitated (withdrawal symptoms) when not playing a video game or on the computer.
For working/non-working adults:
- Obsession or preoccupation about computer games or playing video games on a video game console excessively
- Neglecting personal relationships with friends and family to spend more time playing video games
- Difficulty keeping up with personal or professional responsibilities due to increased hours playing video games. Have you ever “called in sick” to stay home to play your favorite game?
- Lying to others about computer or video game use. Do you sneak time to play games, perhaps late at night while others are asleep? Has someone close to you, perhaps your significant other, ever criticized you for spending too much time playing video games rather than spending time with them?
- While not spending time on the internet or playing video games, do you feel angry, agitated, irritable or depressed? Do you experience withdrawal symptoms when not playing video games?
- Do you spend most of your time thinking or wishing you could be playing your favorite game or surfing the web?
- Do you become so involved in playing video games that you sometimes neglect to eat, sleep, or bathe?
- Do you ever experience physical symptoms such as backaches, dry eyes or headaches after playing video games? Have you been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome or experience symptoms of carpal tunnel?
Adam Glendye, LAPC
AGlendye@ GROWCounseling.com